Rum Cocktail Recipes to Try at Home: Your Complete Guide

Rum is a diverse cocktail ingredient found in everything from mai tais and mojitos to daiquiris and piña coladas. A good rum cocktail recipe can create a party to remember, evoke elegant bygone eras and give a weekend with friends a memorable kick. If you're heading out to a party and taking your recipes with you, be sure to designate a driver or book a taxi in advance. You could even book a nearby hotel for extra relaxation. Wherever you're enjoying your cocktails, these recipes are sure to be a talking point.

White rum has a lighter, fresher taste than dark rum and is often used in the kinds of fruity cocktails to be enjoyed on a beach or before dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Bacardi white rum
• 1 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice
• ¾ oz simple syrup (adjust for sweetness)
• Ice
• Lime wheel or twist for garnish

Method:

1. Prepare your shaker: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Combine the ingredients: Add the Bacardi white rum, lime juice and syrup to the shaker.

3. Shake: Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well chilled and combined.

4. Strain: Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or martini glass.

5. Garnish: Top with a lime slice or twist to add a touch of extra freshness.

Flavours to expect:

• Crisp and tart: The fresh lime juice provides a sharp and refreshing acidity.
• Light sweetness: The simple syrup balances the tart lime with just enough sweetness without overpowering the rum’s character.
• Smooth and clean: Bacardi white rum contributes a smooth and slightly fruity base that’s perfect for letting the lime and sweetness interplay.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz white rum
• 1 oz coconut cream (or cream of coconut for a sweeter option)
• 1 oz pineapple juice
• ¾ oz fresh lime juice
• ½ oz simple syrup (optional, for added sweetness)
• Ice
• Pineapple slice or coconut flakes for garnish

Method:

1. Prepare your shaker: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Combine the ingredients: Add the white rum, coconut cream, pineapple juice, lime juice, and simple syrup (if using) to the shaker.

3. Shake: Shake well for 10-15 seconds until all ingredients are well combined and chilled.

4. Strain: Strain into a tall glass filled with ice for a refreshing version, or serve in a chilled coupe glass for a smoother experience.

5. Garnish: Top with a pineapple slice on the rim or a sprinkle of coconut flakes for an extra tropical touch.

Flavours to expect:

• Creamy and smooth: The coconut cream creates a rich and creamy texture, with a tropical coconut flavour as the star.
• Citrus brightness: The fresh lime juice adds a zesty tang that balances out the richness of the coconut.
• Tropical sweetness: Pineapple juice provides a sweet, juicy tropical note that pairs perfectly with the coconut and brings to mind the beach.
• Light and refreshing: The white rum keeps the drink light and refreshing, adding a subtle but smooth kick without overpowering the tropical flavours.

Also known as black rum, dark rum is aged for longer to create a deep, smoky flavour. Dark rum cocktail recipes are perfect for winter evenings.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz spiced dark rum
• ½ ripe banana (mashed)
• 1 oz coconut milk (or cream of coconut for a richer flavour)
• ¾ oz fresh lime juice
• ½ oz honey or agave syrup (adjust for sweetness)
• A pinch of ground cinnamon
• A pinch of ground nutmeg
• Ice
• Banana slice and cinnamon stick for garnish

Method:

1. Mash the banana: In a mixing bowl or cocktail shaker, mash the banana until smooth.

2. Prepare the shaker: Add ice to your cocktail shaker.

3. Combine the ingredients: Add the mashed banana, spiced dark rum, coconut milk, lime juice, honey (or agave), cinnamon and nutmeg to the shaker.

4. Shake: Shake well for 10-15 seconds to blend the flavours and chill the drink.

5. Strain: Fine strain the cocktail into a tall glass filled with ice (to remove banana pulp for a smoother texture).

6. Garnish: Garnish with the banana slice and cinnamon stick for a visual and aromatic touch.

Flavours to expect:

• Tropical and creamy: The mashed banana and coconut milk provide a creamy, tropical base.
• Spiced warmth: The spiced rum brings hints of vanilla, clove and cinnamon, while the ground cinnamon and nutmeg add a deeper warmth.
• Citrus brightness: The fresh lime juice cuts through the richness with a tangy, refreshing note.
• Light sweetness: Honey or agave syrup balances the drink without overpowering the other flavours.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz dark rum
• 1 oz crème de cacao (or any chocolate liqueur)
• ½ oz espresso or strong brewed coffee (cooled)
• 1 oz almond milk (or any non-dairy milk)
• ½ oz simple syrup
• Ice
• Dark chocolate shavings or cocoa powder for garnish

Method:

1. Prepare your shaker: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Combine the ingredients: Add the dark rum, crème de cacao, espresso, almond milk and simple syrup to the shaker.

3. Shake: Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well chilled and smooth.

4. Strain: Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice or serve straight up in a chilled martini glass.

5. Garnish: Garnish with dark chocolate shavings or a light dusting of cocoa powder on top.

Flavours to expect:

• Rich chocolate: The crème de cacao and espresso combine to give a deep, rich chocolate flavour with slight bitterness.
• Warm spice and depth: The dark rum adds a robust warmth with caramel, molasses and subtle spice undertones.
• Creamy texture: The almond milk smooths out the drink, making it velvety without being overly heavy.
• Light sweetness: The simple syrup offers an extra hint of sweetness, balancing the bitterness of the chocolate and coffee.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz dark rum
• 1 oz cold brew coffee (or strong brewed coffee, cooled)
• ½ oz coffee liqueur (optional for extra depth)
• ½ oz vanilla syrup 
• ¼ oz heavy cream or coconut cream 
• Ice
• Coffee beans or grated dark chocolate for garnish

Method:

1. Prepare your shaker: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. Combine the ingredients: Add the dark rum, cold brew coffee, coffee liqueur (if using), vanilla syrup and cream to the shaker.

3. Shake: Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well chilled and combined.

4. Strain: Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice for a refreshing version, or serve straight up in a chilled glass for a bolder, more concentrated experience.

5. Garnish: Garnish with a few coffee beans or a sprinkle of grated dark chocolate for a touch of richness.

Flavours to expect:

• Rich coffee: The cold brew coffee delivers bold, slightly bitter coffee notes that are balanced by the sweetness of the vanilla syrup.
• Deep, warm rum: Dark rum brings a rich, warm complexity with hints of molasses, caramel, and subtle spices that blend beautifully with the coffee.
• Light sweetness: The vanilla syrup adds a smooth sweetness that complements the coffee’s natural bitterness without overpowering it.
• Creaminess: The addition of cream or coconut cream gives the cocktail a velvety texture and softens the intensity of the coffee and rum for a smoother finish.

The history of rum is captivating because of its association with the high seas, adventure and origins that span the globe. Rum, of course, is distilled from either sugarcane molasses or sugarcane juice, and it is traditionally aged in oak barrels that provide its deep flavour. Producing liquor from sugarcane products may go back thousands of years to India or ancient China, and Malay people made an early version called "brum". In the 14th century, the Venetian explorer Marco Polo told of a "very good wine of sugar" discovered in the Middle East. 
 

More recently, in the 17th century, rum became strongly associated with the Caribbean, known for its sugar production, and the drink is still part of Caribbean culture. The oldest cocktail in history actually included rum in its recipe: the El Draque, named after the English explorer Sir Francis Drake, was a predecessor of the mojito, and the punch was intended to provide nutrition for Drake's sailors. Today, rum cocktails are savoured in luxury settings around the world, like The 1040 Bar inside Sofitel Brussels Europe, where the famous mojito gets an original Belgian twist.
 

Wherever you are, there’s always time for a great rum cocktail. Whether you're shaking up a daiquiri at home or discovering new flavors on your travels, great cocktails are meant to be enjoyed. Why not plan your next adventure over a perfectly mixed drink? Explore our bars and find your next favorite spot!